838 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



ducer of agricultural products to be well posted regarding his prospective 

 crops; therefore, the necessity of a true table of statistics. 



A word in regard to the ; nsectivorous birds, the insect eaters, the 

 species that warble to us beautiful songs and ornament home surround- 

 ings. The species found here are the blackbirds, creepers, finches, spar- 

 rows, woodpeckers, larks, magpie, bluejay (though I have not much to 

 say in favor of this robber of cherries and plums), swallows, martins, 

 and everybody's pet and friend, cock-robin. These birds daily devour 

 myriads of insects, vermin, larva, caterpillars, grubs and scores of other 

 varieties of noxious insects, that would, in the absence of these bene- 

 factors and friends of man, completely destroy orchards, gardens, trees 

 and foliage. Acute observers of the habits of these birds and ornithol- 

 ogists cite hundreds of instances to this effect. God, in his all-wise 

 Providence, created the small fish for food for larger ones; so insects 

 and other vermin were created for food for birds. Yet, in view of these 

 provisions and protection for bird and man, thousands of boys and men, 

 full grown men, stand all day as sentinels, shotgun in hand, to kill by 

 the thousands our friends and protectors, because, forsooth, they eat a 

 few cherries, a pear or an apple. Did these cruel fellows understand the 

 habits and use of these species of birds, they would plant an extra fruit 

 tree or two for their use rather than shoot them. 1 think it just and 

 fair that these innocent little fellows should have, now and then, a bite 

 of a cherrj 7 , as part pay for a hard day's work, in helping the farmer and 

 cultivator to rid his trees and grounds of noxious insects and vermin. 



It is impossible in a few sentences to do justice to this subject. The 

 subject should be studied by all agriculturists and horticulturists that 

 think their interests suffer by birds. 1 will leave this interesting sub- 

 ject, hoping these few hints will lead to investigation by all interested, 

 and devote a few moments to larger game and one that is seemingly 

 more profitable — the poultry and egg business. 



Few persons are aware of the immense wealth produced by 

 the poultry business, or of the enormous amount yearly con- 

 sumed in this and other countries. Time will not admit of going 

 into details. A few instances of the consumption of poultry and 

 ear^s in some of the leading commercial marts must suffice. Sweet 

 Erin sends through Dublin, yearly, to her beloved friends in Liverpool 

 and London, of eggs, seventy-two millions, in value, five million dollars; 

 Belgium sends yearly to London over forty millions; France, not will- 

 ing to be outdone by her neighbor in the egg business, sends to John 

 Bull ninety-six millions, reserving for home consumption three thousand 

 millions, Paris alone devouring one hundred and forty millions — exhibit- 

 ing the fact that France deals largely in other luxuries than soup and 

 frogs. And John Bull, too, has a taste for other luxuries than beef. 

 England has a constant investment in poultry of fifty million dollars; 

 France, of seventj'-five million dollars. 



Crossing the water to the city of notions and isms, Boston: Statistics 

 show that she, too, has a taste for good things, by consuming 3-early 

 over two million dollars worth of poultry and eggs. New York, ever 

 ready to outdo the hub of the universe, even in wickedness and cor- 

 ruption, gobbles up over four million dollars worth of eggs and poultry. 

 Cincinnati exports, } T early, twenty-five millions of eggs. This city, 

 Stockton, sends yearl} 7 to market from two hundred and fifty thousand 

 to three hundred thousand dollars worth of poultry and eggs. This 

 amount is principally produced within a radius of twenty miles of this 

 city. A nice little sum as pin money for the wives and daughters of this 



